System and method for tracking a product

ABSTRACT

Herein is described systems and methods for tracking a product. To track a product, product identification information that identifies the product and product ownership information is received. The product ownership information is updated when the product is transferred to another. The product identification information and product ownership information is stored in a database.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/279,738, filed on Mar. 30, 2001, which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to systems and methodsfor tracking a product and more particularly to systems and methods fortracking ownership of a product.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Manufacturers and retailers rely on information provided onregistration cards to provide product information (e.g., recallinformation) to original purchasers of products. However, once anoriginal purchaser transfers (e.g., re-sells) a product to anotherperson, the manufacturer or retailer cannot provide product informationto the new owner of the product. Accordingly, there is a need forsystems and methods for tracking ownership of a product.

SUMMARY

[0004] In accordance with the invention, there is provided a method fortracking a product. Further, in accordance with the invention, there isprovided a computer readable medium containing instructions forcontrolling a computer system to perform the method. The methodcomprises receiving product identification information and receivingproduct ownership information. The method further comprises updating theproduct ownership information when the product is transferred to anotherand storing the product identification information and product ownershipinformation in a database.

[0005] There is further provided a system for tracking a productcomprising means for receiving product identification information andmeans for receiving product ownership information. The system furthercomprises means for updating the product ownership information when theproduct is transferred to another and means for storing the productidentification information and product ownership information in adatabase.

[0006] Still further, there is provided a system for tracking a product,comprising a first receiving component configured to receive productidentification information and a second receiving component configuredto receive product ownership information. The system further comprisesan update component configured to update the product ownershipinformation when the product is transferred to another and a storingcomponent configured to store the product identification information andproduct ownership information in a database.

[0007] Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in partin the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theadvantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means ofthe elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

[0008] It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are exemplary andexplanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In the drawings:

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates an environment for tracking a product.

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a method for registering aproduct consistent with the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a method for providinginstructions on use to a buyer consistent with the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a method for updating productownership information in the registration system consistent with thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an environment100 for tracking a product. Environment 100 comprises a registrationsystem 110, at least one seller/manufacturer 120, and at least one buyer130.

[0015] Seller/manufacturer 120 may be any person, business (e.g.retailer), organization, transferor, manufacturer, or any other entitythat sells, transfers, rents, leases, or otherwise furnishes a productto another person, business, organization, or any other entity for a feeor at no charge. In addition, seller/manufacture 120 may be a reseller,such as a person or entity, that re-sells a product at a garage sale orvia an on-line auctioning service.

[0016] Buyer 130 may be any person, business, organization, or any otherentity that buys, rents, leases, or otherwise receives a product for afee or at no charge. In addition, buyer 130 may be an individualpurchasing a second-hand or used product at a garage sale or via anon-line auctioning service. Buyer 130 may also be a recipient of adonated product. Buyer 130 may include original buyer 131 and/orsubsequent buyers 132. A product may be any appliance, electricaldevice, mechanical device, painting, sculpture, hazardous material, orany other object that is sold, rented, leased, or otherwise furnished toanother.

[0017] Registration system 110 may include a processor (not shown)comprising computer instructions for implementing methods consistentwith the present invention. Registration system 110 andseller/manufacturer 120 may communicate via a connection 115.Registration system 110 and buyer 130 may communicate via a connection125. Connections 115, 125 may be any system, network, or device thatfacilitates communication (e.g., data communication ortelecommunication) using any appropriate communication protocol (e.g.,TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS or any other security protocol, FTP, SMTP, or anyother proprietary protocol). Connections 115, 125 may comprise a localarea network (LAN) connection, a wide area network (WAN) connection, anInternet connection, or a combination of the foregoing. Connections 115,125 may comprise a telephone line, optical fiber, coaxial cable, twistedwire pair, or a combination of the foregoing. Connections 115, 125 maybe wireless using any technique to provide wireless transmissionincluding infrared line of sight, cellular, microwave, satellite, packetradio, spread spectrum, or a combination of the foregoing.

[0018] To track a product, the product is registered in registrationsystem 110. For example, once a manufacturer sells a product to a buyer,the manufacturer may communicate with registration system 110 via theInternet to register the product. Product ownership information may beupdated in registration system 110 each time the product is sold,transferred, rented, leased, or otherwise furnished to another person,business, organization, or any other entity. For example, continuingwith the previous example, the buyer (who later becomes the new seller)may resell the product at a garage sale to a new buyer. The new selleror the new buyer may update the product ownership information bycommunicating with registration system 110.

[0019]FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a method 200 for registeringthe product consistent with the present invention. At stage 210,registration system 110 receives product identification information thatidentifies the product. Registration system 110 may receive the productidentification information from seller/manufacturer 120 or buyer 130 viaconnection 115 or 125, respectively.

[0020] The product identification information may comprise anyinformation that identifies the product. For example, the productidentification information may comprise one or more of the following: anidentification number (e.g., serial number); a product name; a productnumber. (e.g., model number); physical characteristics of the product(e.g., color, weight, volume, composition, description, etc.); date oftransfer; date of manufacture; information on manufacturer, seller, ortransferor; price information; and place of sale. Registration system110 may provide a list of product identification information from whichto select. If the product identification information of the product thatis being registered is not on the list, then seller/manufacturer 120 orbuyer 130 may provide the product identification information. Forexample, registration system 110 may provide a list of product namesfrom which to select. If the product name of the product that is beingregistered is not on the list, then seller/manufacturer 120 or buyer 130may provide the product name. The product identification information maybe provided by completing a form provided via the Internet, for example.

[0021] At stage 220, registration system 110 receives product ownershipinformation. Registration system 110 may receive the product ownershipinformation from seller/manufacturer 120 or buyer 130. The productownership information may include any information relating to buyer 130.For example, the product ownership information may comprise one or moreof the following: buyer's 130 name; buyer's 130 mailing address and/orother contact information (e.g., telephone number, email address); andinformation on buyer 130 for marketing or survey purposes (e.g., age,gender, citizenship, income, occupation, marital status, ethnicity,etc.). Registration system 110 may provide a list of product ownershipinformation from which to select. If the product ownership informationof buyer 130 is not on the list, then seller/manufacturer 120 or buyer130 may provide the product ownership information. For example,registration system 110 may provide a list of occupations from which toselect. If the occupation of the buyer 130 is not on the list, thenseller/manufacturer 120 or buyer 130 may provide the buyer's 130occupation.

[0022] Preferably, each time the product is sold, transferred, rented,leased, or otherwise furnished to another person, business,organization, or any other entity (i.e., a new buyer 130), theregistration system 110 receives product ownership information regardingthe new buyer 130. To transfer a product includes selling, renting,leasing, granting, or other furnishing a product to another.

[0023] At stage 230, registration system 110 assigns a productidentification number to the product. The product identification numbermay be returned to seller/manufacturer 120 and/or buyer 130. Asdescribed in greater detail below, the product identification number maybe used as the product identification information to update the productownership information when the product is transferred from originalbuyer 131 to subsequent buyers 132.

[0024] At stage 240, registration system 110 stores and cross-referencesthe product identification information, product ownership information,and product identification number in a database 140.

[0025] At stage 250, registration system 110 provides product specificinformation to buyer 130. Registration system 110 may send productspecific information to the mailing address and/or email addressreceived at stage 220, for example. The information may be sentutilizing Electronic Postmark™ by the United States Postal Service(USPS). Also, the registration system 110 may provide product specificinformation to buyer 130 via the telephone based on the telephone numberprovided at stage 220. For example, registration system 110 may call thetelephone number provided at stage 220 and play an automatic messageincluding the product specific information.

[0026] The product specific information may comprise any informationrelating to the product identified by the product identificationinformation received at stage 210. The product specific information maycomprise recall information, instructions on how to use the product,product tie-in information, upgrade information, warranty information,information on previous owners, or product offers, for example.Registration system 110 may receive product specific information fromthe manufacturer or previous owner, for example, and store andcross-reference the product specific information in database 140.

[0027] The product specific information may be provided to buyer 130 inresponse to a request from buyer 130. For example, buyer 130 may requestinstructions on how to use the product.

[0028]FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a method 300 for providinginstructions on how-to use the product consistent with the presentinvention. If the product identification number for the product is known(i.e., “Yes” at stage 310), registration system 110 receives the productidentification number at stage 320. If the product identification numberis not known (i.e., “No” at stage 310), registration system 110 receivesother product identification information at stage 330.

[0029] At stage 340, registration system 110 searches the database 140based on the product identification number or the other productidentification information to determine the product for whichinstructions on use are desired. If the product is not found in database140 (i.e., “No” at stage 350), the product may be registered at stage360. If the product is found in database 140 (i.e., “Yes” at stage 350),registration system 110 determines whether instructions on how to usethe product are available in database 140 at stage 370. If instructionsare available (i.e., “Yes” at stage 370), registration system 110provides the instructions at stage 380. For example, registration system110 may provide instructions to subsequent buyers 132. Registrationsystem 110 may provide the instructions or provide information on how orwhere to retrieve the instructions. If instructions are not available(i.e., “No” at stage 370), registration system 110 may return a messageto buyer 130 stating that no instructions are available.

[0030]FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a method 400 for updating theproduct ownership information in registration system 110 consistent withthe present invention. For example, when the product is transferred fromoriginal buyer 131 to subsequent buyer 132, original buyer 131 and/orsubsequent buyer 132 may communicate with registration system 110 toupdate the product ownership information. If the product identificationnumber for the product is known (i.e., “Yes” at stage 410), registrationsystem 110 receives the product identification number at stage 420. Ifthe product identification number is not known (i.e., “No” at stage410), registration system 110 receives other product identificationinformation at stage 430.

[0031] At stage 440, registration system 110 searches database 140 basedon the product identification number or the other product identificationinformation to determine the product desired to be updated. If theproduct is not found in database 140 (i.e., “No” at stage 450), then theproduct may be registered at stage 460. If the product is found indatabase 140 (i.e., “Yes” at stage 450), then registration system 110receives product ownership information at stage 470.

[0032] At stage 480, registration system 110 updates database 140 withthe new product ownership information. Registration system 110 mayupdate database 140 by retaining the old product ownership informationand adding the new product ownership information to database 140.Alternatively, registration system 110 may update database 140 byreplacing the old product ownership information with the new productownership information.

[0033] The methods consistent with the present invention may beimplemented manually, in software, firmware, hardware, or anycombination thereof.

[0034] Other embodiments consistent with the invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification andpractice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that thespecification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a truescope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for tracking a product, comprising:receiving product identification information; receiving productownership information; updating product ownership information when theproduct is transferred to another; and storing the productidentification information and product ownership information in adatabase.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:providing product specific information based on the product ownershipinformation and product identification information.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: assigning a productidentification number to the product; and cross-referencing the productidentification number with the product identification information andproduct ownership information in the database.
 4. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the product identification information and theproduct ownership information is received from a seller.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the product identification information andthe product ownership information is received from a buyer.
 6. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the product identificationinformation and the product ownership information is received from amanufacturer.
 7. The method according to claim 2, wherein providingproduct specific information comprises: providing recall informationbased on the product ownership information wherein the recallinformation is based on the product identification information.
 8. Themethod according to claim 2, wherein providing product specificinformation comprises: providing instructions on use based on theproduct ownership information wherein the instructions are based on theproduct identification information.
 9. The method according to claim 2,wherein providing product specific information comprises: providingproduct tie-in information based on the product ownership informationwherein the product tie-in information is based on the productidentification information.
 10. The method according to claim 2, whereinproviding product specific information comprises: providing productupgrade information based on the product ownership information whereinthe product upgrade information is based on the product identificationinformation.
 11. The method according to claim 2, wherein providingproduct specific information comprises: providing information onprevious owners based on the product ownership information and based onone or more of the product identification information or productidentification number.
 12. The method according to claim 2, whereinproviding product specific information comprises: providing a productoffer based on the product ownership information wherein the productoffer is based on the product identification information.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 2, wherein providing product specific informationcomprises: providing warranty information based on the product ownershipinformation wherein the warranty information is based on the productidentification information.
 14. The method according to claim 2, whereinproviding product specific information comprises providing productspecific information via the Internet.
 15. The method according to claim3, wherein updating the product ownership information comprises:receiving the product identification number; searching the databasebased on the product identification number; receiving new productownership information; and updating the database with the new productownership information.
 16. A computer readable medium containinginstructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method, themethod comprising: receiving product identification information;receiving product ownership information; updating the product ownershipinformation when the product is transferred to another; and storing theproduct identification information and product ownership information ina database.
 17. The computer readable medium according to claim 16, themethod further comprising: providing product specific information basedon the product ownership information and product identificationinformation.
 18. The computer readable medium according to claim 16, themethod further comprising: assigning a product identification number tothe product; and cross-referencing the product identification numberwith the product identification information and product ownershipinformation in the database.
 19. The computer readable medium accordingto claim 16, wherein the product identification information and theproduct ownership information is received from a seller.
 20. Thecomputer readable medium according to claim 16, wherein the productidentification information and the product ownership information isreceived from a buyer.
 21. The computer readable medium according toclaim 16, wherein the product identification information and the productownership information is received from a manufacturer.
 22. The computerreadable medium according to claim 17, wherein providing productspecific information comprises: providing recall information based onthe product ownership information wherein the recall information isbased on the product identification information.
 23. The computerreadable medium according to claim 17, wherein providing productspecific information comprises: providing instructions on use based onthe product ownership information wherein the instructions are based onthe product identification information.
 24. The computer readable mediumaccording to claim 17, wherein providing product specific informationcomprises: providing product tie-in information based on the productownership information wherein the product tie-in information is based onthe product identification information.
 25. The computer readable mediumaccording to claim 17, wherein providing product specific informationcomprises: providing product upgrade information based on the productownership information wherein the product upgrade information is basedon the product identification information.
 26. The computer readablemedium according to claim 17, wherein providing product specificinformation comprises: providing information on previous owners based onthe product ownership information and based on one or more of theproduct identification information or product identification number. 27.The computer readable medium according to claim 17, wherein providingproduct specific information comprises: providing a product offer basedon the product ownership information wherein the product offer is basedon the product identification information.
 28. The computer readablemedium according to claim 17, wherein providing product specificinformation comprises: providing warranty information based on theproduct ownership information wherein the warranty information is basedon the product identification information.
 29. The computer readablemedium according to claim 17, wherein providing product specificinformation comprises providing product specific information via theInternet.
 30. The computer readable medium according to claim 18,wherein updating the product ownership information comprises: receivingthe product identification number; searching the database based on theproduct identification number; receiving new product ownershipinformation; and updating the database with the new product ownershipinformation.
 31. A system for tracking a product, comprising: means forreceiving product identification information; means for receivingproduct ownership information; means for updating the product ownershipinformation when the product is transferred to another; and means forstoring the product identification information and product ownershipinformation in a database.
 32. The system according to claim 31, furthercomprising: means for providing product specific information based onthe product ownership information and product identificationinformation.
 33. The system according to claim 31, further comprising:means for assigning a product identification number to the product; andcross-referencing the product identification number with the productidentification information and product ownership information in thedatabase.
 34. The system according to claim 31, wherein the productidentification information and the product ownership information isreceived from a seller.
 35. The system according to claim 31, whereinthe product identification information and the product ownershipinformation is received from a buyer.
 36. The system according to claim31, wherein the product identification information and the productownership information is received from a manufacturer
 37. The systemaccording to claim 32, wherein providing product specific informationcomprises: providing recall information based on the product ownershipinformation wherein the recall information is based on the productidentification information.
 38. The system according to claim 32,wherein providing product specific information comprises: providinginstructions on use based on the product ownership information whereinthe instructions are based on the product identification information.39. The system according to claim 32, wherein providing product specificinformation comprises: providing product tie-in information based on theproduct ownership information wherein the product tie-in information isbased on the product identification information.
 40. The systemaccording to claim 32, wherein providing product specific informationcomprises: providing product upgrade information based on the productownership information wherein the product upgrade information is basedon the product identification information.
 41. The system according toclaim 32, wherein providing product specific information comprises:providing information on previous owners based on the product ownershipinformation and based on one or more of the product identificationinformation or product identification number.
 42. The system accordingto claim 32, wherein providing product specific information comprises:providing a product offer based on the product ownership informationwherein the product offer is based on the product identificationinformation.
 43. The system according to claim 32, wherein providingproduct specific information comprises: providing warranty informationbased on the product ownership information wherein the warrantyinformation is based on the product identification information.
 44. Thesystem according to claim 32, wherein providing product specificinformation comprises providing product specific information via theInternet.
 45. The system according to claim 33, wherein updating theproduct ownership information comprises: receiving the productidentification number; searching the database based on the productidentification number; receiving new product ownership information; andupdating the database with the new product ownership information.
 46. Asystem for tracking a product, comprising: a first receiving componentconfigured to receive product identification information; a secondreceiving component configured to receive product ownership information;an update component configured to update the product ownershipinformation when the product is transferred to another; and a storingcomponent configured to store the product identification information andproduct ownership information in a database.
 47. The system according toclaim 46, further comprising: a providing component configured toprovide product specific information based on the product ownershipinformation and product identification information.
 48. The systemaccording to claim 46, further comprising: an assigning componentconfigured to assign a product identification number to the product; anda cross-referencing component configured to cross-reference the productidentification number with the product identification information andproduct ownership information in the database.
 49. The system accordingto claim 46, wherein the product identification information and theproduct ownership information is received from a seller.
 50. The systemaccording to claim 46, wherein the product identification informationand the product ownership information is received from a buyer.
 51. Thesystem according to claim 46, wherein the product identificationinformation and the product ownership information is received from amanufacturer.
 52. The system according to claim 47, wherein theproviding component is configured to provide recall information based onthe product ownership information wherein the-recall information isbased on the product identification information.
 53. The systemaccording to claim 47, wherein the providing component is configured toprovide instructions on use based on the product ownership informationwherein the instructions are based on the product identificationinformation.
 54. The system according to claim 47, wherein the providingcomponent is configured to provide product tie-in information based onthe product ownership information wherein the product tie-in informationis based on the product identification information.
 55. The systemaccording to claim 47, wherein the providing component is configured toprovide product upgrade information based on the product ownershipinformation wherein the product upgrade information is based on theproduct identification information.
 56. The system according to claim47, wherein the providing component is configured to provide informationon previous owners based on the product ownership information and basedon one or more of the product identification information or productidentification number.
 57. The system according to claim 47, wherein theproviding component is configured to provide a product offer based onthe product ownership information wherein the product offer is based onthe product identification information.
 58. The system according toclaim 47, wherein the providing component is configured to providewarranty information based on the product ownership information whereinthe warranty information is based on the product identificationinformation.
 59. The system according to claim 47, wherein the providingcomponent provides product specific information via the Internet. 60.The system according to claim 48, wherein the update component isconfigured to: receive the product identification number; search thedatabase based on the product identification number; receive new productownership information; and update the database with the new productownership information.